Road construction has some Grover Beach businesses struggling. Now they could get money
Businesses along Grover Beach’s central corridor will get some financial relief from the disruption caused by street construction in coming months.
On Monday, the City Council voted unanimously to starting a grant program to support businesses affected by construction on West Grand Avenue with grants of up to $2,000.
The news comes after a number of local businesses reported they were struggling due to the ongoing road construction along that stretch of town. This included Rib Line by the Beach and El Taco de Mexico which both closed this month citing the construction as a contributing factor.
Now, as many as 20 businesses on West Grand Avenue between 9th Street and Highway 1 will be able to receive financial aid through the program.
City manager Matt Bronson said the city has already run three programs intended to boost businesses’ foot traffic, including a buy local program, “business bingo” promotion and a “shop and win” promotion.
Unlike those programs, which were intended to push customers toward businesses through incentives, the new grant program shares more DNA with the grant program the city operated during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting money directly in business’ hands, Bronson said during the meeting.
“We understand that this has had an impact,” Bronson said. “We understand that there have been customers who have not gone to the construction zone because they don’t want to navigate a narrower street with cones.”
How will grant program work?
This program will be co-operated by the South County Chambers of Commerce and will use an online application system, with public-facing businesses such as restaurants, cafes and personal care services getting priority.
All told, the program will cost $45,000 from the General Fund — $40,000 across 20 grants and the remaining funds going to the Chamber to cover administrative costs.
Through the Chamber’s online application, any business in the nine-block construction zone can apply by providing evidence of financial hardship such as profit and loss totals and customer counts before and during construction.
A committee will be established by the city to review grant applications — likely including at least one member of the City Council — and will determine which applicants should receive funds based on the amount of hardship experienced, Bronson said.
Recommended recipients would be invited to meet with the City Council in April, when checks would be approved, Bronson said.
Several residents asked for safeguards and community input on the program.
Former Mayor Debbie Peterson said while she supports the program, $2,000 is a “drop in the bucket,” and asked that the city take a look at supporting short-term rental and hotel owners, which were not included in previous rounds of business aid.
Resident Pamela Storton asked for citizens to be included in the application committee, while Jonathon Reynolds said the program should be protected from conflicts of interest and preferential treatment by the City Council.
Mayor Kassi Dee agreed that while the program is a “drop in the bucket,” she was glad the council was taking some action to provide direct aid.
She agreed that residents should be on the oversight committee and said canvassing for the program will be coordinated by the Chambers and city staff.
The program passed unanimously after receiving feedback from the council, and will get underway the week of Feb. 10, with applications closing March 7.
